I had put off sharing about my upcoming book, 150 Pounds Gone Forever, until the first of the year because the release date is still a few months away. As you can imagine, it is very exciting to see the book available for prepurchase from Amazon, and even more exciting to think that someone may be able to change their life the way I did by getting his or her eating habits under control.
I’ve gotten a lot of emails from people this week wanting to know how to approach an agent, what to include in the proposal, and for me to share the details of how it all transpired.
First of all, I’m no expert, as this is my one and only experience. However, I did a lot of research on the current protocol for book submissions and got really organized.
The book grew from the classes that I occasionally teach. The class was 10 weeks long, and each week I focus on a different aspect of weight loss such as handling the holidays, the truth about fat and calories, friends and family, eating out, and exercise. Every time I taught the class, one or more people would tell me that they wished their friend or relative who lived in a different city could come. That got me thinking about writing a book.
I kinda did the process backwards, as I finished writing the book before I approached agents. With non-fiction books, the publisher does not expect or necessarily want you to have the book done, but rather wants a complete proposal before deciding to make an offer on the book. Had I known that initially, I probably would have written three sample chapters and then started the agent finding process.
I quickly learned that the vast majority of publishers will not look at an unrepresented author. There are a few that will, but not many. Thus, if you want to have the best chances of getting your dream book published, you need to find an agent.
I used this website, WritersNet to research agents. I looked for agents to approach that 1) were accepting queries, 2) had represented authors in the health/fitness genre, and 3) had a good reputation when I googled their name. If you want to write a book on relationships, don’t send the query to an agent who only handles nature books. When you approach an agent through email, they almost always want a short query letter in the body of the email. Quite a few agents indiciated on their websites that they do not open attachments unless they request them. Your query letter should start out with a bang to get their attention – after all, many agents get loads of queries on a weekly basis.
I approached at least 50 agents. If an agent is interested he/she will email you back and ask to see the proposal. If they aren’t interested, 99 percent of them never respond. It’s okay though – because a lot of them tell you that upfront on their contact page. I kept a running list of who I had approached and whether I heard back from them. I didn’t want to send a query letter to the same agent twice.
I had four agents inquire further. Of those four agents, one called me directly after seeing the proposal. (This is my current agent.) She told me that she liked my story, liked that I had maintained for a long time, and liked that I had kids. What she didn’t like was that I had no platform (ie: publicity) beyond local newspapers, radio, and television. She told me if I got a platform she’d be interested in representing me.
She shared with me that publishers don’t want to take a chance on a complete unknown. Hence the reason that the Biggest Loser contestants or famous people can write books even though most of them are very new into their weight loss, and have not maintained their weight or proven they will.
It was about six months later that I appeared in Shape magazine and was on the Dr. Oz show. I emailed her a short note and told her about these new “platforms.” She asked me to call her and we agreed to representation.
I tweaked my book proposal per her instructions and she sent it out to publisher after publisher. Eventually a publisher made an offer and the rest of the process began. I was very excited, but surprised how small the advance was. After all – I worked hard on that book! Like someone told me, small-time authors publish books from love and passion for writing, not to make money. Now if I were John Grisham, that would be different. 
There you have it. The process of getting a book contract. I hope that if you have a book in your heart somewhere you will pursue your dreams. Another great option to publishing through a publishing house is to self-publish through something like CreateSpace with Amazon.
I’d be happy to answer any questions or share more. Diane
Congratulations on your upcoming book !
Since fitness is my passion and I got certified to train people, and I have been working out steadily for 15 years now I have been thinking in the back of my mind about writing a ebook. I admire your going after your dream and sharing your story. I am sure many lives will be touched by your story and you will inspire people to finally make the commitment to lose their extra weight once and for all!
I think you will be surprised by how many people buy your book, not just people who need to lose a lot of weight either. You already have many “fans” here on your blog!
I hope you do write one. You have a great story!
How exciting for you, Diane! Looking forward to reading your book. You continue to be an inspiration to many!!!
Also, congratulations. I knew this would be coming but I did no know how soon. This is all good information here, that I will need to re-read — multiple times. I appreciate, very much, that you shared it. I may solicite your thoughts and advice — in the very near future. Thank you.
Anytime Roy – just email me. You write so well and have compelling stories – a book would be a natural extension of your blog/experience.
Congratulations! I can’t wait to read your book. This is great info. too! Someday I want to write a book.
Alissa´s last fabulous musings ..A Fancy Dress NSV
I can’t wait to read your book either. You are so full of great information. Thank you for always having something to teach me.
Take care and have a blessed day!!
Diane – I am so happy for you!!!!!!!! Very exciting! You are such a sweetie to share all this with us – a lot of people would not. Seeing that I have been in no magazines even after all my tries for too many years & definitely not Dr. Oz,
, well, I guess no book publishing for me right now…
Can’t wait till your book is out! CONGRATS!
Jody – Fit at 54´s last fabulous musings ..Gratitude Monday & Comments/Blogging
You never know Jody – it’s never too late.Really.
Congratulations, Diane! I can’t wait to read the book – I’ve been a loyal blog leader for a long time, and so appreciate your no nonsense, practical approach to healthy living. P.S. Just clicked over to Amazon to pre-order, and don’t see a Kindle edition – is there a plan to make this available on Kindle?
I’m not sure Jessica – I’ll send an email to the publisher! I’d like to know this too!!
Congratulations! I can’t wait for the book to come out. I think you will help a lot of people with what you have shared!
Congratulations!!
Having published my book on my own, I know all about the “platform” and what’s funny is that I created my platform prior to publishing without even realizing that’s what I was doing! It may not be the biggest or best platform, but I continue to grow and nurture it. Something else I learned is that the book itself is not the “pot of gold” and that when we do anything out of a pure love of doing it, then amazing will happen. Know yourself, be yourself, give yourself away
Thanks Karen – you have a great story, attitude and are so generous. I’m going to emulate that and hope for my book to make a difference!!
This is VERY exciting and I can’t wait to read it! You have done a great job and I’m so proud of you! Your open honesty takes courage!
La.´s last fabulous musings ..Week 37: Full Term
Congratulations!! How exciting. Thanks for sharing the process with us, it is so interesting. Your book will help so many.
Marie@feedingfive´s last fabulous musings ..Tag, I am It
Congratulations Diane! I hope that you sell a lot of copies. Writing a book takes so much effort that I can’t imagine doing it.
Lori´s last fabulous musings ..Relaxing, Pinterest and the Broncos!
It was a lot of work, and honestly, I’m glad it’s done!!
Love the book cover; it’s very eye-catching.
Congratulations on the book, Diane — that’s awesome!
Amanda´s last fabulous musings ..Thlllllurrrrrrp!!!!!
As one of my other hobbies is reading and editing fiction, I am unsurprised the agent game is the same in nonfiction! It is not easy to get a book published by any significant publishing house, let alone get decent store distribution of the title, and either is a big accomplishment. I am glad that self publishing is gaining more momentum and a broader distribution through the Internet, as there is a lot of great information written that doesn’t get picked up by a professional for marketing, but I’m glad to hear yours was one of the few that did.
Bravo!
Taryl´s last fabulous musings ..Day 21 – wow water retention!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I’m very excited for you. And thank you for sharing the process you went through; I loved reading about it.
Andrea@WellnessNotes´s last fabulous musings ..Back to Planning: Meals and Workouts
I am so excited about your book! I will definitely be buying!!!
And thank you again for helping me.
Lisa´s last fabulous musings ..How to Plan Some Awesome Meals
You are so welcome Lisa!
Diane, I am going to buy and read your book.
Because of all the amazing advice you give me on my blog, because you are a true inspiration and because I want to support you the only way I can.
You are fantastic!
Maren´s last fabulous musings ..Week #14 Weigh-in + goals
I wish you huge success with your book!
Karen@WaistingTime´s last fabulous musings ..Ode to Cardio
How did you land on the Dr. Oz Show?
I saw on their website they were looking for weight loss success stories. I sent an email. Didn’t hear anything for months and then got an email/phone call out of the blue. I had forgotten about it.
Congrats on your weight loss and on your book! I work for a woman who has self-published two books on CreateSpace but can’t seem to get people to buy her book. It’s a tough market!
Becca´s last fabulous musings ..Morning Glory
how nice for you.
Miz´s last fabulous musings ..15 yrs ago. In the basment of a jail.
That’s awesome, Diane! Congrats!
Thank you!!
I am SOOOO excited for you! You are an inspiration and will help so many people!
I can not wait to get my copy!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin
1. Love the new blog layout.
2. Congrats on the book contract. I am looking forward into buying your book when it’s out here in South Africa.
3. Thanks for sharing this story with us how you got a book contract. I always wondered how people get it done, especially the “unknown” ones – not that you are unknown at all.
Can’t wait for your book!
blackhuff´s last fabulous musings ..Back from holiday
Thank you so much for your kind comment. We worked forever on the blog layout – I wish it were easier to make it look right. There are still things I don’t love!
Diane, first of all congratulations, and second of all, thanks for being generous about sharing your experiences with the publishing world. You take a mysterious process and make it seem do-able! Can’t wait to get your book!
Amy´s last fabulous musings ..Sven Nys ROCKS!!!
I am SOOOO excited for you Diane!!! Look forward to the book, your appearances to promote it, and celebrating all the success that’ll come to you as a result. Have a wonderful Wed.
Roz@weightingfor50´s last fabulous musings ..Good News…and not so good news
Thanks for sharing this information Diane! I had started my own book and felt overwhelmed unsure where I could begin. This helps!
Sheri – Motivation for Health & Fitness´s last fabulous musings ..Learn Who You Are
Hi Diane! I am definitely going to buy your book. I love your writing on this blog and know it will be worth my money.
Marion´s last fabulous musings ..The "Joy" Of Being In The Middle Of A Fitness Goal
Congratulations, Diane! This is such fantastic news! I know exactly how you feel about the publishing process…. my book of weight loss success stories, How We Did It, circulated for about three years before a publisher picked it up. Platform… OY! That issue never goes away. But the Internet has expanded the concept of platform and you have a great online platform. I can’t wait to read your book!